Is Cliffwood Beach safe?
Aberdeen, New Jersey · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Cliffwood Beach as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Cliffwood Beach
“Go. Cliffwood Beach is a calm, modest waterfront suburb along the Raritan Bay with very low violent crime rates. Visitors coming to walk the bayfront trails or visit local parks will find it quiet and peaceful, though standard caution with unattended vehicles is recommended.”
About the area
Cliffwood Beach is a relaxed, residential community located along the Raritan Bay within Aberdeen Township, Monmouth County. It features modest mid-century single-family homes, coastal marshlands, and scenic waterfront views across the bay toward Staten Island.
- Quiet / Coastal
- Suburban Residential
- Family-Friendly
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Cliffwood Beach
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 44/100
No bike-share programs exist in the immediate area, but quiet residential grid streets connect directly to the nearby Henry Hudson Trail in Aberdeen.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Significantly lower violent crime rates than both state and national averages
- Scenic waterfront views, seawall walking path, and tranquil bayside parks
- High homeownership rate and stable middle-class residential demographic
Cons
- Susceptible to coastal flooding and tidal storm surges during major weather events
- Limited commercial density, requiring a vehicle for most amenities and dining
- Occasional opportunistic vehicle burglaries common to outer suburbs
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent in this residential beach community, with services concentrated in larger urban hubs in Middlesex and Monmouth counties.
What Cliffwood Beach is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with local dog walkers, joggers, and commuters setting out.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet and family-friendly around the waterfront park, playgrounds, and residential streets.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and quiet with minimal vehicle traffic and safe conditions for evening strolls.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and low activity; streets are safe, though bayfront parking lots are generally deserted.
Transit, parking and getting around
NJ Transit bus routes 131, 133, and 135 operate along nearby corridors, and the Aberdeen-Matawan NJ Transit train station on the North Jersey Coast Line is approximately 3 miles southeast.
Free on-street parking is widely available throughout residential streets, and the waterfront park offers a dedicated free public parking lot.
Things to do in Cliffwood Beach
- Walk or jog along the Cliffwood Beach Waterfront Park and seawall
- Enjoy the playground, spray park, and picnic areas at Veterans Memorial Park
- Fish along the Raritan Bay shoreline and birdwatch in Whale Creek marshland
Local favorites
- Keyport Fishery · Seafood Restaurant · 4.6★ (1850)Historic, enduring waterfront seafood counter serving fried platters and fresh catches just minutes east.
- Denino's Pizzeria & Tavern · Pizza Restaurant · 4.5★ (1100)Renowned casual tavern dishing out classic thin-crust brick oven pizza and Italian comfort staples.
- Lakeshore Diner · Diner · 4.2★ (720)Classic New Jersey diner offering generous breakfast plates and traditional comfort food near Route 35.
Neighborhoods near Cliffwood Beach
Common questions about Cliffwood Beach
Is Cliffwood Beach safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is Cliffwood Beach a good place to live?
On safety, Cliffwood Beach scores 81/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is Cliffwood Beach?
Walk score 38/100 and bike score 44/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Cliffwood Beach are safer?
Mechanicsville (Hazlet) (89), Santa Fe Junction (88), Cliffwood (85) score higher nearby.
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